MR. WILLIS'S RULE

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1533, 31 August 1912, Page 5

MR. WILLIS'S RULE

EXCITING SCENES. REPORTERS NOT ADMITTED TO PARLIAMENT. NEW ZEALAND PRECEDENTSBy Teloerapli—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, August 30. Tho lobbies at Parliament Houso were in a simmer of excitement yesterday when it became known that tho Speaker intended to excludo tho "Daily Telegraph reporters from the Press Gallery ill consequent of the publication, in that journal of a leading article criticising his rulings. As the reporters presented themselves, they were asked to show their tickets, and representatives of the offending journal wero turned away. As soon as Mr. Willis took his seat, he and the Premier were subjected to a hot cross-fire. Mr. Willis referred the interrogators to the Sergeant-at-Arms, who held that his instructions were to act. An excited scene followed. The exclusion of. the reporters was characterised as a disgrace and an act of barbarity. ■ Mr. Willis silenced members by ruling them out of order, adding that if he saw strangers in the gallery ho would have them removed. Ministers aro reticent, but tho Premier, Mr. M'Gowen, after consultation with his colleagues, informed a. press representative that Mr. Willis's action, came as a surprise. A good many things. Mr. Willis had done had surprised him, but this more than anything else. , Ho declined to express an opinion on the situation. STATE HELD IN THRALL. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. Sydney, August 30. The "Sydney Daily Telegraph," commenting on the exclusion of its reporters from the Press Gallery, says"Amongst all the surprising things Mr. Willis has done, this is the most surprising. It indicates how far the Speaker would go in suppressing criticism if. he had tho power. As far as this journal is concerned, no right can be admitted on the part of the Speaker to exercise censorship of any reports or comments of public affairs tho press may feel called upon to publish. Mr. Willis's rule has led to a state of Parliamentary demoralisation, tending to make the namo of our Legislature a by-word in the mouth of the people." : Tho "Sydney Morning Herald" states:— "Wo venture to say that nothing in the history of. tho Parliaments in Australia or Great Britain has happened in connection with tho press like the treatment | meted out to our contemporary. We have to deal with a Speaker who holds the Government in thrall; whose word or nod is apparently allowed to turn tho State upside-down. It is time the people took a hand, and asserted its powers." INCIDENTS IN NEW ZEALAND. MR. WILLIS QUOTES A LETTER. (Rec. August 30, 9.20 p.m.) Sydney, August 30. Mr. Willis, in a 1 statement to tho press, said: "This country has suffered by the usurpation of authority which' : the press has exercised over the representatives of the people. In the exercise of my duty' as Speaker I must be fearless irrespective of parties in order that discipline may ho enforced; as freedom of speech doesn't mean unbridled oratory." Mr. Willis quotes a communication from New Zealand Hansard Offieo supporting the authority of the Speaker over admissions to the Pres.? Gallery. Tho writer recalls that Sir Maurice O'Rorke, when Speaker in New Zealand, excluded from tho Press Gallery and Parliamentary precincts, a reporter who, when a member asked him if ho had the right to bo in the members' lobby, replied: "If you are a messenger put your uniform on before addressing me." Tho writer eays there were other cases of which he has no personal knowledge, including the exclusion of a newspaper correspondent for, reflecting upon members in his news. Mr. Willis concluded by stating that tho New Zealand precedent shows that the press must not presume to ride roughshod over tho Speaker. '

CENSURE MOTION IN NEW SOUTH WALES. m, *l l * ■ s y dne y- August 30. •Hie State Premier, Mr. M'Gowen, was heckled in tho' Legislative Assembly last night by qupstionson the appointment of Mr. Neilsen, an ex-Minister for Lands, as Trade Commissioner in' America. Mr. M'Gowen replied that Mr. Neilsen had been offered the Trade Commissionereftip to America, and was to decido whether he would accept within a month or two. If he accepted he would be paid for .the office. Mr. Wade gave notice of motion for Tuesday that the appointment of Mr. Neilsen and the payment of money to him was a violation of the Constitution, and deserving of censure. ' Oil the motion of Mr. M'Gowen, tho House adjourned until Tuesday. The- "Sydney Morning Herald" predicts that owing to Mr. Npilsen's absenco and the attitude some members of the party are likely to adopt over the exclusion of reporters, tho Government will find itself in an awkward fix over the censure motion. CABINET CONSIDERATION. (Rec. August 31, 1.5 a.m.) Sydney, August 30. Cabinet met this afternoon to consider the position created by the motion of censuro and tho Speakers' exclusion of the "Daily Telegraph" reporters. A further meeting was held to-night. The result has not transpired.